Issued: 2:29 PM PST Saturday, January 25, 2020
by Robert Hahn

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday

 

Saturday night, a more significant system moving NNE should bring a well-defined low and associated occluded front across the region from after midnight into Sunday morning, spreading moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow spreading across the region, starting in the evening hours, making it into the N Cascades by around midnight. Moderate to strong winds should accompany the frontal system, with the strongest winds for the Olympics and Mt. Baker areas overnight into Sunday morning. Maximum sustained winds are likely to be 30-40 mph for Hurricane Ridge and 25-35 mph for Mt. Baker. Mt. Hood should also get some strong alpine winds. E winds should keep snow for Stevens Pass, but Snoqualmie may only mix with or briefly change to Snow during the early morning hours.

The heaviest rain and snow should spread from the Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier areas overnight to the central and N Cascades during the day on Sunday. Mt. Baker and Paradise should be the snowfall winners with this storm, each expecting more than 1 ft of snow while this should be a 4-8" event for Crystal, Stevens, and White Passes.

A weaker shortwave should move rapidly into the area Sunday night before the weakening post-frontal showers with the previous system finish. This shortwave should bring some moderate rain and snow Sunday night with showers lingering in the North Cascades into Monday. Meanwhile, a slightly more potent low approaches Washington state with a warm front spreading rain and snow from south to north during the day.

 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy in the evening with light rain and snow developing after midnight. 5000 ft winds increasing to 30-40 mph (very strong) in the early morning hours.
Mt. Baker
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of very light rain or snow showers early. Moderate rain and snow arriving in the early morning hours with winds increasing into the moderate, gusting strong range.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Saturday Night Light rain and snow spreading from south to north from late evening onwards.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Saturday Night Light rain and snow developing from late evening onwards. Moderate 5000 ft winds developing after midnight. E winds 20-30 mph at Pass levels from late evening onwards.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Saturday Night Moderate rain and snow developing during the evening hours. Increasing light to moderate 5000 ft winds.
Mt. Hood
Saturday Night Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Moderate to strong alpine winds.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening Snow Level * 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 4000' 4000' 6000'
Saturday Night Snow Level * 5000' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 4000' 6500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level * 4500' 3000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 4000' 4000' 5000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level 3500' 3500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 4000'
Sunday Evening Snow Level * 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500'
Sunday Night Snow Level 3000' 3000' 2000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level 2500' 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
2000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
2500'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)

* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.

Precipitation Forecast

Saturday Night Saturday Saturday Night Saturday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 - 0.50 1.50 1.00 LT 0.25
Washington Pass LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Leavenworth 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25 0.25
Paradise 0.50 - 0.75 0.75 -1.00 0.75 1.00
White Pass 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 0.75 0.50 0.50 1.00 - 1.50
0.75 -1.00 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 1.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 1.50
Saturday Night 1.00
Saturday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday LT 0.10
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.75 -1.00
Saturday Night 0.75
Saturday 1.00
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 0.50
Saturday 1.00 - 1.50
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0.75 -1.00
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 1.50

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15 ESE 5 - 15 ESE 5 - 15 ESE 5 - 15 ESE 10 - 20
Saturday Night SSE 30 - 40 ESE 15 - 25 ESE 15 - 25 SSE 10 - 20 SSW 20 - 30
Sunday Morning SSW 30 - 40 SSE 25 - 35 WSW 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30 WSW 25 - 35
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSE 30 - 40
Sunday Morning SSW 30 - 40
Sunday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night ESE 15 - 25
Sunday Morning SSE 25 - 35
Sunday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night ESE 15 - 25
Sunday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SW 20 - 30
Sunday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening ESE 10 - 20
Saturday Night SSW 20 - 30
Sunday Morning WSW 25 - 35
Sunday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSE 30 - 40
Sunday Morning SSW 30 - 40
Sunday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night ESE 15 - 25
Sunday Morning SSE 25 - 35
Sunday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night ESE 15 - 25
Sunday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SW 20 - 30
Sunday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening ESE 10 - 20
Saturday Night SSW 20 - 30
Sunday Morning WSW 25 - 35
Sunday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30

Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.

Free Winds at 9000' (mph)

Mt. Baker Washington Pass Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening S 10 - 20 SSW 5 - 15 SSW 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 SW 25 - 35
Saturday Night S 40 - 60 S 20 - 30 SSW 30 - 40 SW 35 - 45 WSW 35 - 45
Sunday Morning SSW 40 - 50 SW 30 - 40 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 25 - 35 WSW 35 - 45
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening S 10 - 20
Saturday Night S 40 - 60
Sunday Morning SSW 40 - 50
Sunday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night S 20 - 30
Sunday Morning SW 30 - 40
Sunday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SSW 15 - 25
Saturday Night SSW 30 - 40
Sunday Morning WSW 35 - 45
Sunday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SW 15 - 25
Saturday Night SW 35 - 45
Sunday Morning WSW 25 - 35
Sunday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SW 25 - 35
Saturday Night WSW 35 - 45
Sunday Morning WSW 35 - 45
Sunday Afternoon W 30 - 40

Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday

The active weather continues with a trough over the region Monday night through Tuesday night (the timing of weather features remains uncertain), but it looks like there will be plenty of moisture coming through. Models indicate a drying trend late Tuesday night with a ridge briefly over the region before a powerful and warm system moves in from the west on Wednesday.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Monday Night Snow Level 1500' - 2500' 2500' - 4500' 5000' - 6000' *
Tuesday Snow Level 2500' - 3500' 3000' - 4000' 4000' - 5000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level 2000' - 3000' 2500' - 3500' 3000' - 4000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Snow Level
2500' - 3500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Wednesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
2500' - 4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500' - 3500'
Wednesday Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
5000' - 6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Snow Level
4000' - 5000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
Wednesday Snow Level
5000' - 6000'

* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Jan 25, 2020

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